Photo by Phonethip M. Liu

More than 40 people, including Japanese and American business executives from Mitsubishi, Toshiba, Boeing and U.S. Lockheed Martin, participated in the 11th annual U.S.-Japan Technology Forum, sponsored by the U.S.-Japan Center at the Vanderbilt Institute for Public Policy Studies. The forum's goal is to foster an exchange of ideas and help develop a cooperative defense technology spirit between the two countries, according to James Auer, center director. "Japanese commercial companies have developed a lot of technology that could have defense applications for our military," Auer said. "This forum gives business people and government leaders a chance to meet, gain exposure they wouldn't normally have, and look for ways to cooperate in the future." The forum was held at Vanderbilt, June 5­6. -- Emily Pearce